Haron Martin, head coach at freshly minted Youth Football League (YFL) Junior Cup U-11 eastern regional champions Lannaman’s Preparatory School, lauded the blended format of the tournament and has declared his team’s ambitions for the season.

Lannaman’s arrived at the tournament, which took place at the Constant Spring Field on Saturday, as heavy favourites for top honours, a tag they will carry through to the fast-approaching JISA Alberga Cup Under-12 competition.

The Richmond Park-based school went unbeaten on Saturday, winning five of their six matches and drawing the other, topping off their dominant display with a largely untested 2-0 win over Liberty Academy in the final.

“First and foremost, we are elated for the victory. We have been anticipating and preparing for this competition due to the fact that we did not participate last year, but overall I think it was a good tournament and I think we came out and gave a good account of ourselves and we are really happy for the win,” Martin told the Jamaica Observer.

With some of the island’s top primary and prep school teams facing off against each other in the one-of-a-kind YFL Junior Cup competition, Martin says his team’s victory is a good marker for things to come and believes the competition is an important tool in the development of young talent across the country.

“I like the format, both for the prep and primary schools. I always believe the primary schools are a bit rougher and physical, but we are always up for the challenge, we really like it, and I hope it continues,” he said.

“We look at this as fine-tuning ahead of the upcoming season. We are not going to get carried away or complacent. We still have work to do so it’s just continuing the hard work and hopefully we can do the same thing in the Alberga Cup,” he added.

Lutrell Grant and Tyquon McDougall were the goalscorers for Lannaman’s in the final, stopping a relentless campaign by Liberty Academy, who had scored 25 goals and conceded only three in their march to the regional title match.

Both Lannaman’s and Liberty will be joined by the other semi-finalists — fellow prep school competitors, Hillel Academy and Emmanuel Christian Academy, in the All-Island Finals, which is scheduled for October 19 in Kingston.

The competition will move to WesPow Park on Saturday, October 5 for the Western Regional competition — where defending All-Island champions Corinaldi Primary will be featured before the staging of the central regionals a week later at Kirkvine Sports Complex.

The top four teams from each regional competition will square off against each other in the All-Island finale.

YFL Managing Director Paula Pinnock hailed the success of the Kingston leg of the series and maintained that beyond the creation of another platform for the exposure and development the competition will continue its push towards championing respect and fair play.

“The Kingston Regionals was an incredible display of youth football, with 15 primary and preparatory schools giving their all in over 35 matches. With more than 80 goals scored, we saw thrilling competition and remarkable talent on the field,” said Pinnock.

“Liberty Academy’s unbeaten run in the zone stage and Lannaman’s rise to the regional title truly show the spirit of these young athletes. The passion from the spectators and the unwavering support from parents contributed to the electric atmosphere. We will continue to push for discipline and respect for the rules on and off the field, reminding us all of the importance of good sportsmanship,” she added.